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Science ‘To Answer Russian Royal Mystery’: Did Tsar Stage Death to Become Siberian Monk?

Officially, Alexander I died of typhus aged 47 on December 1, 1825, but evidence suggests he faked his demise and lived as a holy man.

Genetic analysis is soon to be used to determine whether Tsar Alexander I lived for almost four decades as a modest monk after his supposed - and unexpected - death in Taganrog on the Azov Sea, a senior Russian churchman has indicated.

The monarch had led Russia from 1801 until his death 23 years later, famously defeating Napoleon in 1812. He also ruled Poland and Finland. The tsar, sometimes known as Alexander the Blessed, is said by history books to be buried alongside other Romanov monarchs in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St Petersburg.

Or is he? The long-running rumors about the tsar living as a highly educated monk, known as Feodor Kuzmich, are set to be tested by science, according to Rostislav, bishop Tomsky, and Asinovsky. “It is quite likely that such an analysis will be held soon,” the bishop said.

He indicated the tests would be conducted by the Russian Academy of Sciences with the involvement of officials of the Orthodox Patriarch, Kirill.

Tsar Alexander I and monk Feodor. Pictures: Vesti Tomsk

The DNA analysis is expected to reveal whether the tsar lived for 39 years after his official death. Bishop Rostislav said:

“We had received several requests to conduct analysis, including those who would like to widely cover it in the media. We did not give our permission for this because such expertise should be held in a peaceful environment. There also was an inquiry from the Academy of Sciences, which we redirected […] to the Moscow Patriarchy.”

Bishop Rostislav indicated church officials are now moving towards permitting genetic and other tests on the remains of the holy man, whose remains lie in Bogoroditse-Alexeevsky Monastery in Tomsk. He said he had given his opinion to the church authorities in favor of scientific analysis of the monk's remains.

Rumors in orthodox circles have suggested that Alexander I's tomb in St Petersburg is empty, but the basis of such claims is unclear.

Handwriting analysis has already suggested that holy man Feodor Kuzmich - made a saint in 1984 - and Alexander I were the same person.

The mysterious monk, who spoke several languages and was noted for his genteel manners, appeared in the Siberian city of Tomsk a dozen years after the tsar's 'death'. He lived here until he died in 1864.

The monk told people that he had been a wanderer and was unable to recall his past.

Alexander I's empress Elizabeth - they wed when she was 14, and he a year older - officially passed away a few months after him.

There is a separate theory that her death was also faked, and that she subsequently became a nun known as Silent Vera.

Empress Elizabeth and nun Silent Vera. Pictures: Vesti Tomsk

Even in tsarist times there was speculation as to the identity of the mysterious monk, who became known as Feodor Tomsky after the Siberian city. Writer Leo Tolstoy, among others, highlighted the theory that he was, in fact, the former tsar.

Two years ago, Svetlana Semyonova, president of Russian Graphological Society, concluded from handwriting samples that 'it was one and the same man'.

“I was given a handwritten [sample] by Alexander I at the age of 45, and also another handwritten sample by Feodor Kuzmich. The only difference is that in the handwriting of an 82 year old man we can see that he was deep in his spiritual world, arches and circles appeared in his writing. Key features remained the same in all works.”

Two years ago, Svetlana Semyonova, president of Russian Graphological Society, concluded from handwriting samples that 'it was one and the same man'. Pictures: Vesti Tomsk

Her claims were revealed at a forum in Tomsk which focused on claims that historians may have been hoodwinked by the otherwise healthy tsar's death from sudden illness.

Professor Andrey Rachinsky, of the Paris Institute of Eastern Languages and Civilizations, said that Tsar Alexander III had a picture of the monk in pride of place alongside those of his royal predecessors in his office.

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Caution !
------&gt; The color portrait of young royal beautiful Lady, is of Duchess Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Luise Auguste Wilhelmine Amalie;
(10 March 1776 – 19 July 1810) Queen consort of Prussia as the wife of King Frederick William III not
of Empress Elizabeth Queen consort as the wife of Czar Alexander I of Russia

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